Paid maternity leave?

[ShirleyPhallus]

I’m not ready for babies yet but looking at changing jobs and starting a family in next year or two. I thought maternity leave would be a key consideration but looking at my company’s policy, it’s only 3 months paid full salary and then statutory thereafter. Would love to know others experiences of their company’s maternity pay. I work in the city in a big firm along the lines of law / management consulting etc (and sorry for lack of paragraphs!)

OP we had this exact thread a few weeks ago, so you might be able to find lots of answers if you search for it :)

26 weeks full pay, 13 weeks SMP, remaining 13 weeks unpaid (Civil Service)

Public sector not always as good as it used to be. Those joining our organisation more than a few years ago got 9 months full pay and used accrued annual leave to take nearly a year off without losing any money, but new starters don't get anything like that. Also lots of different T&Cs in different organisations and pay can be low compared to similar roles in private sector although can be very family friendly with good possibility of part time/compressed hours if you want it.

I’m not sure if I’m reading this right, but my company offers 3 months full paid then statutory. So do you get 3 months, plus the 6 weeks at 90%, then after the statutory? no

I got 20 weeks full pay then statutory till 9 months then nothing. Also worth noting you accrue your holidays while on mat leave and either get them paid to you or you get to take them.

DollyWilde teachers get 90% for 6 weeks, next 33 weeks at £138 per week and then nothing. As teachers are not paid for holidays but paid over the holidays you also lose holidays day pay.

I changed jobs partly for maternity leave with my second (luckily I was successful having another, it was touch and go). 6 months full pay and 3 smp and 3 unpaid. Childcare vouchers paid for on smp, annual leave accured. The pay is not great though (public sector)

@anotherangel2 that is incorrect.

Teachers get 4 weeks full pay, 2 weeks 90%, 12 weeks 50% + SMP then up to the 39th week on SMP. Final 12 weeks unpaid if you take it.

Enhanced mat pay overrides SMP. So if you get 3 months full pay, this overrides the 6 weeks at 90%. If your enhanced pay lasts less than 39 weeks, then you drop onto SMP for the remaining time up to 39 weeks.

Public sector - gov agency, part of Defra, but not Civil Service - 18 weeks full pay, 21 weeks sta mat pay.

Large law firm (city and regional offices) all staff legal and support entitled to 6 weeks full pay and then remaining time up to 9 months at half pay. Can't remember exact wording on timing but have to have been there approx a year before you get pregnant to qualify for that package

18 weeks full pay then statutory

If you get any sort of bonus or commission, it's worth noting that your pay is calculated by taking your last 2 payslips when you're 25(?) weeks, adding them together and halving them

So if you get a bonus in your pay slip one month, that will boost your average
It's only for the 6 weeks at 90% but can mean you get more than your usual!

To qualify for enhanced mat pay, I had to have been in post from my 25th week of pg or something very simple like that. Some private employers ask for 2 years service or more.

I've had first 3 months 100%
Next 3 months 90%
Next 3 months 50%
Last 3 months nothing.
Then a further 3 months of a/l.
Public sector

I am so surprised at how little you’re paid!

Always best to start saving while ttc.

Some industries seem to get some very good mat pay packages. I am a teacher and worried how I will afford mat leave ... should maybe have saved before now On the other hand, some women only get SMP and make it work

I worked in the lovely media when I had my 1st (11 years ago)

My 1st child I had
26 weeks full. 13 weeks half. Nothing to end of year but plus annual leave and KIT. So those two added together on the end was 75% of my pay. AND I got a full month wage upon returning to work as a bonus for returning. In those days, it was one of the BEST packages around.

3 yrs later child number two.
13 weeks full. 13 weeks half. Rest SMP. Plus the KIT and holiday pay so still good AND a return to work bonus (this time on the hours you returned on, whereas it was full time 1st child.

3 years later the same company had a two year employment factor for latter.

2 years later they had dropped everything to new starters to 6 weeks 90% etc etc. And you had to have been there two years regardless.

Fuckers.

Civil service. 6 months full. 3 months statutory. 3 months unpaid.

Get 6 weeks of leave so will be using that at the end!

@burblife teachers in Scotland so not get what you’ve stated but similiar to anotherangel. 12 weeks full pay then SMP for 27 weeks then nothing!

I am so surprised at how little you’re paid! What sort of package were you expecting?

Small consulting firm, changed policy last year - up to 20 weeks full paid based on tenure with a sliding scale. Paternity - 8 weeks fully paid - can be taken throughout the year not just in a block

what sort of package were you expecting? no idea really, I’m just very surprised given how many people live on significantly lower salaries etc, how does anyone actually afford to have children?!

I get 6 weeks @90% pay topped by my company to make it 100% of my pay
3 months full pay
3 months half pay
3 months statutory
The rest unpaid
I work for a city financial services firm

I wish companies would disclose their mat pay as it is a deciding factor for me before I take any job. That said it took me 5 years to get pregnant and I've had 3 jobs in that time so it's almost a mute point for me

I agree Iboogy - the blurb about “generous benefits” doesn’t generally hold true about mat leave - and it’s crap that it’s hard to ask about when you are trying to get a job